Manchester United displayed amazing resilience to get their first away win of the season beating Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates. An own goal by Kieran Gibbs gave United the lead. Wayne Rooney doubled it thanks to a brilliant counter-attacking move in the 85th minute. Olivier Giroud, returning from injury, gave Arsenal a chance when he produced a brilliant shot to beat De Gea at the near post but the visitors held on to get 3 precious points.
Devoid of possession and cohesion in the first half, the visitors were rescued time and again by Spanish talisman David De Gea as Arsenal squandered chance after chance. Louis van Gaal reverted to the 3-5-2 formation as a result of injuries to his first choice centre-backs Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo. A backline of Smalling, McNair and Blackett with Shaw and Valencia deployed as wing-backs struggled to keep up against the raw pace of Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Welbeck. Things went from bad to worse when Luke Shaw got injured in the 16th minute.
The game completely changed in the second half when an unfortunate deflection by Gibbs gave United an unlikely lead in the 56th minute. The Gunners stepped up the pace but Van gaal’s side defended in numbers ready to pounce on the counter. That is exactly what they did when Arsenal got caught out in a move involving Fellaini, Di maria ultimately ending in a great chip by the Manchester United captain. Frenchman Oilvier Giroud returning from injury gave Arsenal some hope with 3 minutes left but United held on to maintaintheir extraordinary record against Arsene Wenger’s side.
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Arsenal: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Alexis, Welbeck
Subs: Martinez, Bellerin, Flamini, Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud
United: De Gea, Smalling, McNair, Blackett, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Shaw, Di Maria, Rooney, van Persie
Subs: Lindegaard, Fletcher, Herrera, Young, Mata, Januzaj, Wilson